Extending Light Rail To The North

The Columbia River Crossing project (CRC) is expanding transit options between Portland and Vancouver and will improve connections, reliability and travel times for riders. This bi-state project will extend an existing 52-mile light rail system across the Columbia River to connect the region’s largest and most concentrated employment area in downtown Portland with Vancouver.

Connecting CommunitiesThe Portland–Vancouver region is expected to grow significantly in the next 20 years, with a million more people projected to live here by 2030. Light rail will improve mobility for many people and provide a viable alternative to automobile travel, helping to relieve congested conditions across the Columbia River. The completed light rail extension will provide reliable transit service between many key regional destinations including:

Vancouver and Portland central business districts and •employment centers

Entertainment and retail districts such as Esther Short •Park, the Oregon Zoo and regional theater companies

Sporting venues, including Rose Quarter and Delta Park•

Colleges and universities, including Clark College and •Portland State University

Vancouver and Portland convention centers•

78TH

119TH

MARINE

I-205

DN27

DN28

DIVISION

I-5

GLISAN

78TH

DN221

BURNSIDE

LOMBARD

HT841

SR-5

01

ST HELENS

DN261

STARK

DN251

POWELL

28TH

18TH

HT92

SUNSET

SR-14

HALSEY

ST JOHNS

DN201

MILL PLAIN BLVD

TS

NOT

GNI

HS

AW

TS

YAW

DAO

RB

E 5TH ST

HT211

COLUMBIA

N COLUMBIA BLVD

SANDY

39TH

HT461

EVERGREEN

I205

MA

IN S

T

NE

SE

RD

NA

99TH

12TH

11TH

33RD

HT05

FREMONT

FOURTH PLAIN

YEON

159TH

9TH

36TH

BELMONT

41S

T

DN24

94TH

THOMPSON

HT701

LOWER RIVER

HAZ

EL D

ELL

7TH

68TH

AIRPORT

HT631

TS12

KILLINGSWORTH

GR

EE

LEY

1ST

149TH

83RD

WILLAMETTE

8TH ST

88TH

PATTON

HT731

NAITO

VIST

A

DN29

SR

-503

DN241

CULL

Y

49TH

BURTON

UN

ION

44TH20

TH

HT52

HAWTHORNE

MINNEHAHA

HT79

HT06

HT67

HT66

MCGILLIVRAY

WARD

HT031

DR32

CAPLES

MCLOUGHLIN BLVD

MCLOUGHLIN BLVD

40TH

156TH

139TH

HT831

LAKESHORE

PRESCOTT

PORTLAND

WEIDLER

54TH

HT51

58TH

MACARTHUR

10TH

NLO

CNIL ST JAM

ES

GNI

KR

EHT

ULNIT

RA

M

LOVEJOY

4TH

DN25

DN26

HT75

FALK

BLISS

LIE

SE

R

NICOLAI

ROSS

TS121

HT65

HT061

HUMPHREY

TALTO

N

45TH

ENI

VE

D

GR

AN

D

13TH

GOING

HT61

6TH

LLOYD

MORRISON

FRONT

COVINGTON

HT46 154TH

TS13

DO

SCH

BR

AN

DT

BROADWAY

BARBU

R

HT77

17TH

BERNIECOLUMBIA HOUSE BLVD

TS

ER

CK

RAP

MARTIN

LUTH

ER KIN

G JR

EVA

HT31

EN

SCHOLLS FERRY

305R

S

VAUGHN

HO

OD

KA

UFF

MA

N

E RE

SERV

E ST

ST JOHNS B

LVD

CASCADE PARK

HT401

MILW

AUKIE

NO

SP

MIS

HT551

THORBURN

103RD

BLAN

DFO

RD

ROSS ISLAND

48TH

I84 FWY-I205 FWY

HTR

OW

SLLE

VOL

AK

HC

ATSI

VALL

EB

GHER

POPLAR

109TH

ALDER

SEWARD

THURSTON

VANCOUVER MALL

DVL

BLLE

WOP-Y

WF502I

LAI

RO

ME

MR

EGI

ER

ONI

WR

E

SHAT

TUCK

RO

BR

AH

BRIAR W

OOD

FOSTER

34TH

SUNSET-SYLVAN

2ND

PHILADELPHIA

KELLY

47TH

MARQUAM

3RD

93RD

GREELEY

131S

T

108T

H

DO

OW

HTR

AE

H

33RD

305-R

S

PORTLAND

117TH

HT81

HT901

PORTLAND

21S

T

HT05

63RD

102N

D

DN28

139TH

39TH

20TH

MC

LOU

GH

LIN15TH ST

17TH ST

DN27

13TH ST

HT631

DN29

78TH

21S

T

DN221

502I

LIN

CO

LN

11TH

HT211

HT05

HT49

HT45

FOURTH PLAIN BLVD

SE COLUMBIA WAY

UNION

PRESCOTT

159TH

SANDY

WEIDLER

EVERGREEN BLVD

I5

119TH

20TH

HT731

HT02

SR-5

01

ST HELENS

DN241

LAKESHORE

BROADWAY

HT06 I84

138TH

20TH

41ST

10TH

POWELL

9TH

18TH

HT11

5TH

88TH

SR-500

SKYLINE

63RD

49TH

HT93

99TH

159TH

I405

STARK

78TH

N MARINE DR

N MARINE DR

N JANTZEN AVE

N HAYDEN ISLANDDR

NTOMAHAWK ISLAND DR

Vancouver

WASHINGTONHAYDENISLAND

ClarkCollege

Portland

OREGON

Highway Improvements

Existing Highway and Bridge

Proposed Light Rail Alignment

Existing MAX Yellow Line

Proposed Park and Ride

Proposed Light Rail Stations

The Columbia River Crossing Project (CRC) is expanding transit options in Vancouver and will improve connections, reliability and travel times for riders.

Columbia River Crossing CRC is a long-term, comprehensive solution to address safety and congestion problems on I-5 between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The project will replace the I-5 bridge, extend light rail to Vancouver, improve closely-spaced interchanges and enhance pedestrian and bicycle pathways.

Benefits to local residents, the natural environment and the regional economy include:

Improved safety •A more reliable trip for freight, autos, and transit •Reduced congestion on I-5 and adjacent neighborhoods •No bridge lifts•Earthquake protection •New and sustained jobs with improved access to •ports and highways Reduced emissions and improved water quality•

PROjECT PARTNERs

In addition, the project will provide transit connections to the region’s other light rail lines, streetcar lines, Amtrak passenger rail service and C-TRAN and TriMet bus routes.

Light Rail Designs The CRC project team is working closely with the community to create a light rail system that fits well into the adjacent neighborhoods.

The transit portion of the CRC project will include a 2.9-mile extension of TriMet’s Yellow Line from the existing Expo Center Station in north Portland, Ore., through downtown Vancouver, Wash., to a terminus near the Marshall/Leupke Center.

Hayden IslandA station is planned as part of the light rail extension. The station will be located on the west side of I-5 a short distance from the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter. The station is being designed to support the goals of the Hayden Island Plan, which is a City of Portland neighborhood plan developed with local input to reflect the long-term vision of the community.

Vancouver

In downtown Vancouver, trains will travel north on Broadway Street and south on Washington Street in a dedicated lane. Trains will travel east and west on 17th Street to the terminus station near the Marshall/Luepke Center. Four transit stations will be built along the line. In addition, three park and ride facilities are planned to accommodate about 2,900 parking spaces. Park and rides will be built near Fifth and Washington streets, 15th and Washington streets, and across from the Marshall/Luepke Center.

Designing a safe systemPlanning for safety and security on and around light rail is a top priority for C-TRAN, TriMet and the CRC project. The new light rail line is being designed to promote safe interaction between light rail trains, cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. A cooperative agency effort and the application of safety and security principles will ensure that light rail is designed and constructed to run safely, securely, dependably and efficiently.

CRC is using design strategies proven to reduce the potential for crime at stations and on trains. Significant input from advisory groups, local jurisdictions and the public will help in the design of a safe system. Recommendations include:

Integrate stations into the community, near residential •and commercial buildings.

Manage pedestrian access to stations through the •thoughtful placement of entrances and exits, fencing, lighting and landscaping.

Design stations so that user activity is easily visible, with •clear lines of sight into and out of the station.

Ensure stations are well-maintained and visually pleasing •using high-quality materials, attractive design features and public art.

Create a well-defined separation of stations and •crosswalks from automobile traffic, using distinct pavement textures and traffic signals.

Use visual and audible warning devices to alert •pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers to approaching trains.

Did You Know?

u �At opening, weekday peak service will provide

trains every 7.5 minutes, with 15-minute service

during off-peak periods.

u �By 2030, there will be about 18,700 trips crossing

the Columbia River on light rail each day, with

about 6 million boardings annually.

u �Travelers between Vancouver and downtown

Portland will also have the option of using a

C-TRAN Express Bus.

US Department of Transportation: Federal Transit Administration • Federal Highway AdministrationCity of Vancouver • City of Portland • SW Washington Regional Transportation Council • Metro • C-TRAN • TriMet

Couplet Option #3Side-Running Track and Station

Downtown Vancouver Rendering (above) and Plan View Sketch (lower right)

Similar Design: Denver, CO

Design concept for light rail in downtown Vancouver.

Design concept for light rail station in Hayden Island.

FederalTransitAdministration•FederalHighwayAdministrationCityofVancouver•CityofPortland•SWWashingtonRegionalTransportationCouncil•Metro•C-TRAN•TriMet

Providing Passenger securityCRC is working closely with the City of Vancouver and City of Portland police, and C-TRAN and TriMet security to maximize passenger safety at stations and park and ride facilities, as well as on light rail trains. CRC’s security plan will include:

Monitoring stations and trains by transit security and •local police officers

Enforcement of fare payment•

Installation of closed-circuit TV (CCTV) at light rail •stations, park and rides and on trains

Partnerships with local law enforcement and the regional •9-1-1 system to have the closest available units available as “first responders” to any incident

Programs to remove graffiti, pick-up litter and •maintain landscaping

Working with local government to develop appropriate •land uses near transit stations

Community Feedback shapes DesignCommunity advisory groups are working with CRC project staff to ensure community preferences and the needs of transit riders are considered in light rail system planning. Transit advisory group members include business and neighborhood leaders, transit riders and agency representatives. The groups have met more than two dozen times since 2008 to conduct field visits, review plans and provide feedback. In addition, five open houses have been held in the communities to gather input on the light rail extension. Community input has resulted in the following work to date:

Design guidelines for the Hayden Island station•

Route for the Vancouver portion of the line•

Station locations in Vancouver•

Guidance on traffic and parking along the Vancouver route •

The community will continue to be consulted as light rail designs are refined to gain input on appearance of the stations and streets, park and ride designs and security plans. The monthly meetings of the Portland Working Group and Vancouver Transit Advisory Committee are announced on the CRC website and open to the public.

Transit police and fare inspectors help increase passenger safety.

Station lighting increases visibility for those on or approaching platforms.

Cable, bollards and distinctive surfaces help define transit, auto and pedestrian areas.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) INFORMATIONMaterialscanbeprovidedinalternativeformats:largeprint,Braille,cassettetape,oroncomputerdiskforpeoplewith disabilities by calling the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project office at (866) 396-2726. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the CRC project through the Telecommunications Relay service at 7-1-1.

TITLE VI NOTICE TO PUBLIC WsDOT and ODOT ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the provision of benefits and services resulting from its federally assisted programs and activities. For questions regarding WsDOT’s Title VI Program, you may contact the Department’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7098. For questions regarding ODOT’s Title VI Program, you may contact the Department’s Civil Rights Office at (503) 986-4350.

UPDaTeD: March 17, 2011

HOW CAN I gET INVOLVED? Visit the website at www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org to •sign up for updates and view the project calendar

Attend an advisory group meeting•

Invite CRC staff to your group to discuss the project•

Contact the project office to talk with a staff member•

E-mail: feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org

Mail: 700WashingtonStreet,Suite300 Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone: 360-737-2726 or 503-256-2726

Fax: 360-737-0294

schedule and Next steps In july 2008, local project partners reached consensus that a replacement bridge and light rail extension would best meet project goals and community needs. In December 2009, CRC received approval from the Federal Transit Administration to enter into preliminary engineering, a phase of design which focuses on refining the cost estimates and the work necessary for construction planning.

The governors of Oregon and Washington convened an Independent Review Panel in 2010 to evaluate key project assumptions and plans for implementation. The panel’s report confirmed a new river crossing is necessary and made recommendations which are informing future efforts. A separate, collaborative local review process in 2010 also resulted in recommendations for project design and is moving the project closer to construction.

Analysis of the project’s environmental and community effects will be included in a Final Environmental Impact statement.

Transit Funding The project is applying for $850 million in Federal Transit Administration New Starts funding. This funding includes the cost of building the light rail track, purchasing 19 new light rail trains, building stations and park and rides and expanding existing light rail maintenance facilities. Long-term operation and maintenance of the new light rail line is proposed to be funded through C-TRAN and TriMet.

C-TRAN is requesting an increase in the local sales tax rate of 0.1 percent (one cent per $10 purchased) to fund future high capacity transit systems, including operations and maintenance of light rail, and the construction, operations and maintenance of a bus rapid transit line for Fourth Plain. A public vote is expected in November 2011.

www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org

*Schedule may be adjusted, pending results of the Bridge Review Panel in early 2011.

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Final Design Phase

Soonest construction could beginConstruction complete

Independent review panelLocal agency reviewPreliminary engineeringLight rail alignment selected

public outreach

Bridge Review PanelSelect bridge typeFinal Environmental Impact Statement Federal Record of Decision Property acquisition process could begin

Light rail service begins